Minister To The Rich

Christ Church Of Oak Brook Mirrors

The Vision Of Its Pastor, Arthur Dekruyter

Just a year after five families invited Rev. Arthur DeKruyter to begin a new church in their upper-middle-class Du Page County community, the minister faced an unexpected crisis.

The year was 1966, and his new congregation, Christ Church of Oak Brook, was growing rapidly. Too rapidly, perhaps. One day DeKruyter discovered most of his church board embraced, what he called, ``a John Birch mentality.``

``I was given an ultimatum to conform to an ultra-conservative, right-wing philosophy,`` he said during a recent armchair interview in the solace of his richly appointed church study.

``I was forbidden to quote Time (magazine), because that was considered part of the conspiracy to undermine the true American way,`` he recounted. ``I was to promote and underscore the Christian validity of the free-enterprise system.``

DeKruyter, in throes of midlife, had left a thriving pastorate in nearby Western Springs to lead the young, growing church in Sunday worship services in Butler Elementary School. The little congregation already was planning a $1-million-plus building program.

DeKruyter knew the risk involved if he blinked, said George Howell, a former Oak Brook village president who, as a newcomer to the church, got involved early in its expansion program:

``He asked me what I thought, and I said, `There`s only one time to stop, and that`s now.` He said, `Some of the strongest supporters will leave.` And I said, `You`ll have to take the risk.` ``

DeKruyter agreed.

``I volunteered to accept their termination of my services,`` he said, his countenance brightening, ``if they could justify it to the congregation and this community. As it turned out, the board resigned and took over another church.``

DeKruyter`s decision is characterized as his ``most courageous stand.``

``He said, `If that`s what this is all about, I`m leaving,` `` said James Bere, chairman of Borg-Warner Corp. and longtime member of the church.

As a result, the modern-day prophet, surrounded by polished panelling, thick carpeting, soft lighting and mementos of international travel, has managed to succeed among the very people Jesus said would have difficulty attaining salvation, the rich.

Today, 22 years later, DeKruyter brushes aside the crisis and points to another period instead as his most difficult in Oak Brook.

``It was the growth that was hard to manage,`` he said. ``I began losing track of people I knew.``

By 1975, after 10 years at the helm, membership at Christ Church totaled 2,466 people, most of whom joined after construction of the elegant chiseled- stone and hewn-wood structure on the southwest corner of 31st Street and York Road. In 1970, attendance at weekly worship services averaged 450 people. By 1975, weekly attendance averaged 2,200, a 500-percent growth.

``Suddenly I lost touch,`` the pastor confessed. ``We lost our esprit de corps. It took two to three years to bring back some identification. But we`ve since recovered.``

Recovered indeed. The church, with three Sunday morning worship services, currently boasts a membership of more than 5,200 people. Members of the congregation, representing 37 Protestant denominations, drive their luxury autos to church each Sunday not just from homes in Oak Brook but from 90 other surrounding communities.

DeKruyter said he always envisioned a large church. ``Our master plan was developed for 3,000,`` he said. ``I thought it would take 25 years, but it took more like 10 to 15 years.``

For a community such as Oak Brook, a minister needs to dream big, he said. ``I always tend to dream too small. When you dream something that`s too easily achieved, God doesn`t have to be in it.``

Dreaming is a part of Oak Brook tradition. Millionaire land owner Paul Butler`s early vision of a completely planned community led to founding the village in February, 1958. Although Butler wasn`t interested in joining the new church, his concept of an ecumenical institution, symbolic of a variety of Protestant denominations, was a cornerstone for establishing Christ Church.

And to back his interest, Butler donated the church`s original 8.7-acre site.

``Now we`re 18 acres,`` DeKruyter said, adding that much of the property is devoted to parking space and two water retention ponds.

``Paul`s original intent was to donate 6 acres,`` DeKruyter said. ``But I reminded him that the size of the original subdivision on this site was 8.7 acres. He said, `This is the first time I`ve been bested in a real estate deal and loved it.` ``

In 1970, a sanctuary and an educational wing was built at a cost of $1 million. Its 160-foot spire, poking through a surrounding stand of trees, is considered a village landmark. A second education wing was added in 1972, a third in 1976.

Last spring, the church expanded into its newest addition, a $3.5 million extension providing more classroom space, a library, counseling center, preschool, fellowship hall, youth lounge, expanded nursery, kitchen and better access for handicapped people.